Driven by science,
Defined by taste

The story behind The Art of Tasting

The aha-moment came when Sietze started as an intern for a UK-based laboratory who produced aroma compounds for training purposes. “They added this powder to a neutral lager and then suddenly it smelled like coffee” he explains. Sietze was fascinated by the idea that the same aroma compounds could crop up in multiple foods or beverages - and that the experience could be mimicked. “It was the thing I never knew I was looking for, but I found it” he says.

After his internship, he landed a job and stayed with the company for three years. Wanting to apply the concept to wine education, he realised he would have to start his own business.
[the above story comes from an interview with Simon Woolf]

Sietze Wijma is a wine educator based in the Netherlands. Through his company The Art of Tasting, he delivers tasting courses built on a unique method, in which wines are presented with added flavour compounds. This approach helps wine professionals confidently identify flavours and faults. The Art of Tasting flavouring vials are shipped to and used by wine educators and students globally. Through his Instagram channel, Sietze shares educational content focused on the science of wine. Sietze has a MSc in Sensory Science, holds the WSET Diploma and is an Advanced Cicerone®️.